Sanctum of Ugin MTG Card
2015-10-02 - Number 242
2015-10-02 - Number 242s
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
: Add to your mana pool. Whenever you cast a colorless spell with converted mana cost 7 or greater, you may sacrifice Sanctum of Ugin. If you do, search your library for a colorless creature card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle your library.
Cards like Sanctum of Ugin
Sanctum of Ugin is a unique land card in Magic The Gathering that stands out in its ability to synergize with colorless spells. It’s often compared to Eye of Ugin, which also interacts with colorless spells, but Eye of Ugin reduces the casting cost of colorless creature spells, whereas Sanctum of Ugin offers a card advantage by allowing a player to search for a colorless creature card after casting a big spell.
Another card that resonates with Sanctum of Ugin’s theme is Inventors’ Fair, which similarly taps for mana and can be sacrificed for a search mechanic. However, Inventors’ Fair requires the control of three or more artifacts to be effective, showcasing a preference for artifact-based decks, unlike the spell-dependent trigger of Sanctum of Ugin. It’s important to note that the search capability of Inventors’ Fair comes at a higher life cost but doesn’t require casting a large spell as the trigger condition.
Considering these factors, Sanctum of Ugin holds a special place due to its relatively low activation cost and potential to fetch powerful game-ending threats, making it a valuable component for any deck relying on casting substantial colorless spells.
Cards similar to Sanctum of Ugin by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Sanctum of Ugin. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Simic Tron | Modern | Mono-Green Tron | Modern Challenge 64 2024-05-05 |
 | Metalwork Colossus | Pioneer | Metalwork Colossus | Pioneer Preliminary 2024-04-18 |
| Mono-Green Tron | Modern | Mono-Green Tron | Modern Challenge 32 2024-04-12 |
 | Nykthos Ramp | Pioneer | Nykthos Ramp | Pioneer League 2024-04-24 |
 | G | Pioneer | Pioneer League 2024-04-12 | |
 | Colorless Tron | Modern | Mono-Green Tron | *HALF PRICE FRIDAY* $5K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Friday - 1:00 pm |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sanctum of Ugin equips you with a strategic method for securing the right creature or colorless spell from your deck, delivering not just any card, but one that aligns with your game plan. This can tilt the balance in your favor, especially in the later stages of the game when precise choices can be game-changing.
Resource Acceleration: This land’s ability to channel your existing resources into a powerful tutor effect accelerates your game by enabling you to summon impactful threats sooner than expected. By not costing any mana to trigger, it efficiently propels your deck’s velocity, letting you maximize your mana each turn.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of activating Sanctum of Ugin at instant speed means you can wait for the perfect moment to unfold your strategy. Whether during the end step of your opponent’s turn or in response to a game-altering event, this ability blends seamlessly into your tactical plays while keeping your opponents guessing.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Sanctum of Ugin requires you to trigger a conditional ability by casting a colorless spell with a converted mana cost of 7 or greater. This could be particularly limiting if your deck doesn’t consistently reach the point of casting such high-cost spells, potentially making the land card less productive.
Specific Mana Cost: While Sanctum of Ugin doesn’t require a specific mana color, it does necessitate a significant investment in high-cost colorless spells. Decks that don’t support this strategy might find the card taking up a valuable land slot without much return on investment.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The activation of Sanctum of Ugin’s ability is indirectly tied to high mana costs. In real game terms, having to cast a large colorless spell means that you will have invested a substantial amount of resources before you can leverage the benefit of tutoring another colorless card, which can slow down the pace of your deck.
Reasons to Include Sanctum of Ugin in Your Collection
Versatility: Sanctum of Ugin offers a flexible mana source for any deck due to its ability to tap for colorless mana. Its triggered ability can be a strategic advantage, allowing you to search for a colorless creature as you cast larger spells. This dynamic plays well in decks that can capitalize on both consistent mana utility and tutor effects.
Combo Potential: This land shines in decks that are built around big, game-changing spells. Triggering Sanctum of Ugin can help string together powerful plays or assemble key pieces of a combo, making it a linchpin in chains of explosive turns. It’s particularly effective in decks where chaining Eldrazi or other large colorless creatures is a primary strategy.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where long-game strategies prevail, Sanctum of Ugin holds its ground as a valuable asset. It provides decks with an additional layer of consistency, ensuring that pivotal creatures are within reach just when you need them most, keeping you one step ahead in the metagame.
How to beat
Sanctum of Ugin is a unique land card that seamlessly integrates into many powerful decks within the realm of Magic: The Gathering. Its strength lies in its ability to tutor for a colorless creature card when you cast a large spell, setting up potential game-winning plays. However, this strength can also be mitigated.
To counteract the Sanctum’s search and play advantage, control strategies can be particularly effective. Utilizing cards that force your opponent to discard or counter their key spells can disrupt their planned sequence, leaving the Sanctum’s ability idle. Land destruction or land interaction spells like Ghost Quarter can directly target and remove Sanctum of Ugin from the battlefield, nullifying its effect permanently.
Another path to dealing with it is through fast-paced aggro decks that place significant pressure on the opponent, reducing the time they have to leverage the Sanctum’s effect. This can prevent the opponent from comfortably reaching the point where they can activate its ability, keeping you ahead in the game. Balancing your deck to handle such threats is crucial in maintaining the upper hand against intricate cards like Sanctum of Ugin.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sanctum of Ugin MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar and Battle for Zendikar Promos, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Sanctum of Ugin and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Sanctum of Ugin Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-10-02 and 2015-10-02. Illustrated by James Paick.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-10-02 | Battle for Zendikar | BFZ | 242 | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Paick | |
| 2 | 2015-10-02 | Battle for Zendikar Promos | PBFZ | 242s | 2015 | Normal | Black | James Paick |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sanctum of Ugin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |